Thermoplastic silicone elastomers from compatibilized polyamide resins

ABSTRACT

A method for preparing a thermoplastic elastomer is disclosed, said method comprising(I) mixing(A) a rheologically stable polyamide resin having a melting point or glass transition temperature of 25° C. to 275° C.,(B) a silicone base comprising(B&#39;) 100 parts by weight of a diorganopolysiloxane gum having a plasticity of at least 30 and having an average of at least 2 alkenyl groups in its molecule and(B&#39;&#39;) 5 to 200 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler, the weight ratio of said silicone base to said polyamide resin being greater than 35:65 to 85:15,(C) a compatibilizer selected from (i) a coupling agent, (ii) a functional diorganopolysiloxane or (iii) a copolymer comprising at least one diorganopolysiloxane block and at least one block selected from polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, polyurea, polycarbonate or polyacrylate,(D) an organohydrido silicon compound which contains an average of at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrogen groups in its molecule and(E) a hydrosilation catalyst,components (D) and (E) being present in an amount sufficient to cure said diorganopolysiloxane (B&#39;); and(II) dynamically curing said diorganopolysiloxane (B&#39;).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition wherein a silicone base is blended with a polyamide resin and a compatibilizer and silicone gum contained in the base is dynamically vulcanized during the mixing process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are polymeric materials which possess both plastic and rubbery properties. They have elastomeric mechanical properties but, unlike conventional thermoset rubbers, they can be re-processed at elevated temperatures. This re-processability is a major advantage of TPEs over chemically crosslinked rubbers since it allows recycling of fabricated parts and results in a considerable reduction of scrap.

In general, two main types of thermoplastic elastomers are known. Block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers contain “hard” plastic segments which have a melting point or glass transition temperature above ambient as well as “soft” polymeric segments which have a glass transition or melt point considerably below room temperature. In these systems, the hard segments aggregate to form distinct microphases and act as physical crosslinks for the soft phase, thereby imparting a rubbery character at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, the hard segments melt or soften and allow the copolymer to flow and to be processed like an ordinary thermoplastic resin.

Alternatively, a thermoplastic elastomer referred to as a simple blend (physical blend) can be obtained by uniformly mixing an elastomeric component with a thermoplastic resin. When the elastomeric component is also cross-linked during mixing, a thermoplastic elastomer known in the art as a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) results. Since the crosslinked elastomeric phase of a TPV is insoluble and non-flowable at elevated temperature, TPVs generally exhibit improved oil and solvent resistance as well as reduced compression set relative to the simple blends.

Typically, a TPV is formed by a process known as dynamic vulcanization, wherein the elastomer and the thermoplastic matrix are mixed and the elastomer is cured with the aid of a crosslinking agent and/or catalyst during the mixing process. A number of such TPVs are known in the art, including some wherein the crosslinked elastomeric component can be a silicone polymer while the thermoplastic component is an organic, non-silicone polymer (i.e., a thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate or TPSiV). In such a material, the elastomeric component can be cured by various mechanisms, but it has been shown that the use of a non-specific radical initiator, such as an organic peroxide, can also result in at least a partial cure of the thermoplastic resin itself, thereby reducing or completely destroying the ability to re-process the composition (i.e., it no longer is a thermoplastic). In other cases, the peroxide can lead to the partial degradation of the thermoplastic resin. To address these problems, elastomer-specific crosslinkers, such as organohydrido silicon compounds, can be used to cure alkenyl-functional silicone elastomers.

Arkles, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,688, discloses semi-interpenetrating networks (IPN) wherein a vinyl-containing silicone fluid having a viscosity of 500 to 100,000 cS is dispersed in a conventional thermoplastic resin. Arkles only illustrates these IPNs at relatively low levels of silicone. The vinyl-containing silicone is vulcanized in the thermoplastic during melt mixing according to a chain extension or crosslinking mechanism which employs a silicon hydride-containing silicone component. This disclosure states that the chain extension procedure results in a thermoplastic composition when the vinyl-containing silicone has 2 to 4 vinyl groups and the hydride-containing silicone has 1 to 2 times the equivalent of the vinyl functionality. On the other hand, silicones which predominantly undergo crosslinking reaction result in thermoset compositions when the vinyl-containing silicone has 2 to 30 vinyl groups and the hydride-containing silicone has 2 to 10 times the equivalent of the vinyl functionality. Typical thermoplastics mentioned include polyamides, polyurethanes, styrenics, polyacetals and polycarbonates. This disclosure is expanded by Arkles in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,739 to include the use of hybrid silicones which contain unsaturated groups and are prepared by reacting a hydride-containing silicone with an organic polymer having unsaturated functionality. Although Arkles discloses a silicone fluid content ranging from 1 to 40 weight percent (1 to 60% in the case of the '739 patent), there is no suggestion of any criticality as to these proportions or to the specific nature of the organic resin.

Publication WO 96/01291 to Advanced Elastomer Systems discloses thermoplastic elastomers having improved resistance to oil and compression set. These systems are prepared by first forming a cured rubber concentrate wherein a curable elastomeric copolymer is dispersed in a polymeric carrier not miscible therewith, the curable copolymer being dynamically vulcanized while this combination is mixed. The resulting rubber concentrate is, in turn, blended with an engineering thermoplastic to provide the desired TPE. Silicone rubber is disclosed as a possible elastomeric component, but no examples utilizing such a silicone are provided. Further, this publication specifically teaches that the polymeric carrier must not react with the cure agent for the curable copolymer.

Crosby et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,602 teach composites wherein a silicone semi-IPN vulcanized via a hydrosilation reaction is dispersed in a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin having a high flexural modulus. The silicones employed are of the type taught by Arkles, cited supra, and the composites are said to exhibit improved shrinkage and warpage characteristics relative to systems which omit the IPN.

Ward et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,071, disclose a method for improving the melt integrity and strength of a high modulus thermoplastic resin to provide smooth-surfaced, high tolerance profiles when the modified resin is melt-drawn. As in the case of the disclosures to Arkles et al., cited supra, a silicone mixture is cured via a hydrosilation reaction after being dispersed in the resin to form a semi-IPN, and the resulting composition is subsequently extruded and melt-drawn.

European Patent Application 0651009A1 to Sumitomo Bakelite Co., published May 3, 1995, discloses a thermoplastic elastomer composition which is prepared by dynamically heating a mixture comprising an unsaturated organic (i.e., non-silicone) rubber, a thermoplastic resin, an SiH-containing crosslinker, a hydrosilating catalyst and a compatibilizing agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,715 to Gornowicz et al. teaches the preparation of TPSiV elastomers wherein a silicone gum (or filled silicone gum) is dispersed in either a polyolefin or a poly(butylene terephthalate) resins and the gum is subsequently dynamically vulcanized therein via a hydrosilation cure system. The resulting elastomers exhibit an ultimate elongation at break of at least 25% and have significantly improved mechanical properties over the corresponding simple blends of resin and silicone gum in which the gum is not cured (i.e., physical blends). This is, of course, of great commercial significance since the vulcanization procedure, and the cure agents required therefor, add to both the complexity as well as the expense of the preparation and vulcanization would be avoided in many applications if essentially identical mechanical properties could be obtained without its employ.

Copending application Ser. No. 09/393029, filed on Sep. 9, 1999, and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,281,286, discloses that the impact resistance of polyester and polyamide resins can be greatly augmented by preparing a thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate therefrom wherein the elastomeric component is a silicone rubber base which comprises a silicone gum and a silica filler and the weight ratio of the base to the resin ranges from 10:90 to 35:65. Although the resulting thermoplastic materials have improved impact resistance, they do not exhibit sufficiently low modulus to be useful as elastomers.

Copending application Ser. No. 09/535,556, filed on Mar. 27, 2000, discloses the incorporation of a hindered phenol compound in a TPSiV based on specific nylons wherein the phenol compound imparts improved mechanical properties relative to an unmodified composition.

While the above publications disclose the preparation of compositions using various thermoplastic resins as the matrix and a dispersed phase consisting of a silicone oil or elastomer which is dynamically vulcanized therein, neither these references, nor any art known to applicants, teach the preparation of TPSiV elastomers based on polyamide resins wherein tensile and/or elongation properties and/or processability are improved by the inclusion of a compatibilizer in the formulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that TPSiV elastomers of the type described in above cited U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,715 can be prepared from certain polyamide resins wherein the silicone component is a base comprising a diorganopolysiloxane gum and a reinforcing filler. As in the case of the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,715, the elastomers disclosed herein generally also have good appearance, have an elongation of at least 25% and have a tensile strength and/or elongation at least 25% greater than that of the corresponding simple (physical) blend wherein the diorganopolysiloxane is not cured. However, it has been surprisingly found that inclusion of a minor portion of a compatibilizer in the formulation improves either tensile strength or elongation over a similar TPSiV which does not contain the compatibilizer. Alternatively, inclusion of the compatibilizer results in a reduced melt viscosity of the thermoplastic elastomer vulcanizates (as reflected by process torque measurements during mixing) without an associated degradation of tensile strength or elongation. This reduction is of considerable value to fabricators since the elastomers of the present invention can be more readily processed in conventional equipment (e.g., extruders, injection molders) and results in lower energy consumption. Furthermore, unlike the teachings of Arkles, cited supra, and others, the silicone component which is dispersed in the thermoplastic resin, and dynamically cured therein, must include a high molecular weight gum, rather than a low viscosity silicone fluid, the latter resulting in compositions having poor uniformity.

The present invention, therefore, relates to a thermoplastic elastomer prepared by

(I) mixing

(A) a rheologically stable polyamide resin having a melting point or glass transition temperature of 25° C. to 275° C.,

(B) a silicone base comprising

(B′) 100 parts by weight of a diorganopolysiloxane gum having a plasticity of at least 30 and having an average of at least 2 alkenyl groups in its molecule and

(B″) 5 to 200 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler, the weight ratio of said silicone base to said polyamide resin being greater than 35:65 to 85:15,

(C) for each 100 parts by weight of said polyamide resin, a compatibilizer selected from

(i) 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a coupling agent having a molecular weight of less than 800 which contains at least two groups independently selected from ethylenically unsaturated group, epoxy, anhydride, silanol, carboxyl, oxazoline or alkoxy having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in its molecule,

(ii) 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a functional diorganopolysiloxane having at least one group selected from epoxy, anhydride, silanol, carboxyl, amine, oxazoline or alkoxy having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in its molecule, or

(iii) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a copolymer comprising at least one diorganopolysiloxane block and at least one block selected from polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, polyurea, polycarbonate or polyacrylate,

(D) an organohydrido silicon compound which contains an average of at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrogen groups in its molecule and

(E) a hydrosilation catalyst,

components (D) and (E) being present in an amount sufficient to cure said diorganopolysiloxane (B′); and

(II) dynamically curing said diorganopolysiloxane (B′).

The invention further relates to a thermoplastic elastomer which is prepared by the above method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Component (A) of the present invention is a thermoplastic polyamide resin. These resins are well known by the generic term “nylon” and are long chain synthetic polymers containing amide (i.e., —C(O)—NH—) linkages along the main polymer chain. For the purposes of the present invention, the polyamide resin has a melt point (m.p.), or glass transition temperature (T_(g)) if the polyamide is amorphous, of room temperature (i.e., 25° C.) to 275° C. Attempts to prepare TPSiV elastomers from polyamides having higher melt points (e.g., nylon 4/6) resulted in poor physical properties, the ultimate elongation of such products being less than the required 25% according to the present invention. Furthermore, for the purposes of the present invention, the polyamide resin is preferably dried by passing a dry, inert gas over resin pellets or powder at elevated temperatures. The degree of drying consistent with acceptable properties and processing depends on the particular polyamide and its value is generally recommended by the manufacturer or may be determined by a few simple experiments. It is generally preferred that the polyamide resin contains no more than about 0.1 weight percent of moisture. Finally, the polyamide must also be rheologically stable under the mixing conditions required to prepare the TPSiV elastomer, as described infra. This stability is evaluated on the neat resin at the appropriate processing temperature and a change of more than 20% in melt viscosity (mixing torque) within the time generally required to prepare the corresponding TPSiVs (e.g., 10 to 30 minutes in a bowl mixer) indicates that the resin is outside the scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, a dried nylon 11 sample having a m.p. of 198° C. was mixed in a bowl mixer under a nitrogen gas purge at about 210 to 220° C. for about 15 minutes and the observed mixing torque increased by approximately 200%. Such a polyamide resin is not a suitable candidate for the instant method.

Other than the above mentioned limitations, resin (A) can be any thermoplastic crystalline or amorphous high molecular weight solid homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer having recurring amide units within the polymer chain. In copolymer and terpolymer systems, more than 50 mole percent of the repeat units are amide-containing units. Examples of suitable polyamides are polylactams such as nylon 6, polyenantholactam (nylon 7), polycapryllactam (nylon 8), polylauryllactam (nylon 12), and the like; homopolymers of aminoacids such as polypyrrolidinone (nylon 4); copolyamides of dicarboxylic acid and diamine such as nylon 6/6, polyhexamethyleneazelamide (nylon 6/9), polyhexamethylene-sebacamide (nylon 6/10), polyhexamethyleneisophthalamide (nylon 6,I), polyhexamethylenedodecanoic acid (nylon 6/12) and the like; aromatic and partially aromatic polyamides; copolyamides such as copolymers of caprolactam and hexamethyleneadipamide (nylon 6,6/6), or a terpolyamide (e.g., nylon 6,6/6,6); block copolymers such as polyether polyamides; or mixtures thereof. Preferred polyamide resins are nylon 6, nylon 12, nylon 6/12 and nylon 6/6.

Silicone base (B) is a uniform blend of a diorganopolysiloxane gum (B′) and a reinforcing filler (B″).

Diorganopolysiloxane (B′) is a high consistency (gum) polymer or copolymer which contains at least 2 alkenyl groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in its molecule. The alkenyl group is specifically exemplified by vinyl, allyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl and decenyl. The position of the alkenyl functionality is not critical and it may be bonded at the molecular chain terminals, in non-terminal positions on the molecular chain or at both positions. It is preferred that the alkenyl group is vinyl or hexenyl and that this group is present at a level of 0.001 to 3 weight percent, preferably 0.01 to 1 weight percent, in the diorganopolysiloxane gum.

The remaining (i.e., non-alkenyl) silicon-bonded organic groups in component (B′) are independently selected from hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon groups which contain no aliphatic unsaturation. These may be specifically exemplified by alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl; cycloalkyl groups, such as cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl; aryl groups having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tolyl and xylyl; aralkyl groups having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, such as benzyl and phenethyl; and halogenated alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl and chloromethyl. It will be understood, of course, that these groups are selected such that the diorganopolysiloxane gum (B′) has a glass temperature (or melt point) which is below room temperature and the gum is therefore elastomeric. Methyl preferably makes up at least 50, more preferably at least 90, mole percent of the non-unsaturated silicon-bonded organic groups in component (B′).

Thus, polydiorganosiloxane (B′) can be a homopolymer or a copolymer containing such organic groups. Examples include gums comprising dimethylsiloxy units and phenylmethylsiloxy units; dimethylsiloxy units and diphenylsiloxy units; and dimethylsiloxy units, diphenylsiloxy units and phenylmethylsiloxy units, among others. The molecular structure is also not critical and is exemplified by straight-chain and partially branched straight-chain, linear structures being preferred.

Specific illustrations of organopolysiloxane (B′) include:

trimethylsiloxy-endblocked dimethylsiloxane-methylhexenylsiloxane copolymers; dimethylhexenlylsiloxy-endblocked dimethylsiloxane-methylhexenylsiloxane copolymers; trimethylsiloxy-endblocked dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers; trimethylsiloxy-endblocked methylphenylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers; dimethylvinylsiloxy-endblocked dimethylpolysiloxanes; dimethylvinylsiloxy-endblocked dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers; dimethylvinylsiloxy-endblocked methylphenylpolysiloxanes; dimethylvinylsiloxy-endblocked methylphenylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers; and similar copolymers wherein at least one end group is dimethylhydroxysiloxy. Preferred systems for low temperature applications include methylphenylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers and diphenylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers, particularly wherein the molar content of the dimethylsiloxane units is about 93%.

Component (B′) may also consist of combinations of two or more organopolysiloxanes. Most preferably, component (B′) is a polydimethylsiloxane homopolymer which is terminated with a vinyl group at each end of its molecule or is such a homopolymer which also contains at least one vinyl group along its main chain.

For the purposes of the present invention, the molecular weight of the diorganopolysiloxane gum is sufficient to impart a Williams plasticity number of at least about 30 as determined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test method 926. The plasticity number, as used herein, is defined as the thickness in millimeters×100 of a cylindrical test specimen 2 cm³ in volume and approximately 10 mm in height after the specimen has been subjected to a compressive load of 49 Newtons for three minutes at 25° C. When the plasticity of this component is less than about 30, as in the case of the low viscosity fluid siloxanes employed by Arkles, cited supra, the TPSiVs prepared by dynamic vulcanization according to the instant method exhibit poor uniformity such that at high silicone contents (e.g., 50 to 70 weight percent) there are regions of essentially only silicone and those of essentially only thermoplastic resin, and the blends are weak and friable. The gums of the present invention are considerably more viscous than the silicone fluids employed in the prior art. For example, silicones contemplated by Arkles, cited supra, have an upper viscosity limit of 100,000 cS (0.1 m²/s) and, although the plasticity of fluids of such low viscosity are not readily measured by the ASTM D 926 procedure, it was determined that this corresponds to a plasticity of approximately 24. Although there is no absolute upper limit on the plasticity of component (B′), practical considerations of processability in conventional mixing equipment generally restrict this value. Preferably, the plasticity number should be about 100 to 200, most preferably about 120 to 185.

Methods for preparing high consistency unsaturated group-containing polydiorganosiloxanes are well known and they do not require a detailed discussion in this specification. For example, a typical method for preparing an alkenyl-functional polymer comprises the base-catalyzed equilibration of cyclic and/or linear diorganopolysiloxanes in the presence of similar alkenyl-functional species.

Component (B″) is a finely divided filler which is known to reinforce diorganopolysiloxane (B′) and is preferably selected from finely divided, heat stable minerals such as fumed and precipitated forms of silica, silica aerogels and titanium dioxide having a specific surface area of at least about 50 m²/gram. The fumed form of silica is a preferred reinforcing filler based on its high surface area, which can be up to 450 m²/gram and a fumed silica having a surface area of 50 to 400 m²/g, most preferably 200 to 380 m²/g, is highly preferred. Preferably, the fumed silica filler is treated to render its surface hydrophobic, as typically practiced in the silicone rubber art. This can be accomplished by reacting the silica with a liquid organosilicon compound which contains silanol groups or hydrolyzable precursors of silanol groups. Compounds that can be used as filler treating agents, also referred to as anti-creeping agents or plasticizers in the silicone rubber art, include such ingredients as low molecular weight liquid hydroxy- or alkoxy-terminated polydiorganosiloxanes, hexaorganodisiloxanes, cyclodimethylsilazanes and hexaorganodisilazanes. It is preferred that the treating compound is an oligomeric hydroxy-terminated diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization (DP) of 2 to about 100, more preferably about 2 to about 10 and it is used at a level of about 5 to 50 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of the silica filler. When component (B′) is the preferred vinyl-functional or hexenyl-functional polydimethylsiloxane, this treating agent is preferably a hydroxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane.

For the purposes of the present invention, 5 to 200 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 150 and most preferably 20 to 100 parts by weight, of the reinforcing filler (B″) are uniformly blended with 100 parts by weight of gum (B′) to prepare silicone base (B). This blending is typically carried out at room temperature using a two-roll mill, internal mixer or other suitable device, as well known in the silicone rubber art. Alternatively, the silicone base can be formed in-situ during mixing prior to dynamic vulcanization of the gum, as further described infra. In the latter case, the temperature of mixing is kept below the softening point or melting point of the polyamide resin until the reinforcing filler is well dispersed in the diorganopolysiloxane gum.

The compatibilizer (C) may be a coupling agent, an organofunctional diorganopolysiloxane or a siloxane copolymer. For the purposes of the present invention, at least one compatibilizer is included in the preparation of the thermoplastic elastomer.

In one embodiment, the compatibilizer is (i) a coupling agent having a molecular weight of less than 800 which contains at least two groups in its molecule which are independently selected from ethylenically unsaturated groups (e.g.,vinyl, allyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, acrylate and methacrylate), epoxy, anhydride, silanol, hydroxyl, alkoxy having 1 to 20, preferably from 1 to 10, more preferably from 1 to 4, carbon atoms, carboxyl or oxazoline. The latter group has the structure

wherein the carbon atoms of the ring may contain one or more substituents selected from hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The coupling agent can have an organic or siloxane-based skeletal structure as long as it contains at least two of the above mentioned groups, these being located at terminal positions, along the backbone or both. In the case of siloxane backbones, the above mentioned functional organic groups (i.e., non-silanol) are attached to silicon atoms via Si—C bonds (e.g., through a divalent hydrocarbon group such as trimethylene, tetramethylene and dimethylene) or a divalent organic group containing oxygen and/or nitrogen heteroatoms, such as ester, ether or amide. Although the groups may be the same, it is generally preferred that at least one of these is an ethylenically unsaturated group, preferably vinyl, while at least one other group is selected from the above mentioned epoxy, anhydride, alkoxy, silanol, hydroxyl, carboxyl or oxazoline groups.

Examples of suitable coupling agents include allyl glycidyl ether, glycidyl methacrylate, 1,2-epoxy-7-octene, 1,2-epoxy-9-decene, 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene, allyl succinic anhydride, vinyloxazolines, vinyloxazoline derivatives such as 2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline, gamma-glycidoxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane, gammaglycidoxypyltrimethoxysilane, beta-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, 1,3-phenylene-bis (2-oxazoline), poly(propylene glycol)diglycidyl ether, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, tris(2,3-epoxypropy)isocyanurate and unsaturated diamides such as CH₂═CH—(CH₂)₈—CO—NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—CO—(CH₂)₈—CH═CH₂, inter alia.

The concentration of these coupling agents can be from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of the polyamide (A), preferably, from 0.2 to 3 parts by weight.

In another embodiment, the compatibilizer is (ii) a functional diorganopolysiloxane having a number average molecular weight of at least 800, preferably 800 to 50,000, more preferably from 800 to 15,000. The functional diorganopolysiloxane (ii) is a polymer or copolymer in which the organic groups are independently selected from hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon groups which contain no aliphatic unsaturation, as described above for component (B′), including preferred embodiments thereof. However, at least one functional group selected from epoxy, anhydride, silanol, alkoxy having 1 to 20, preferably from 1 to 10, more preferably from 1 to 4, carbon atoms, amine, carboxyl or oxazoline, as described above, must be present in this polymer or copolymer.

Examples of suitable component (ii) include epoxy-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, such as mono (2,3-epoxy)propylether-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, epoxypropoxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, (epoxycyclohexylethyl)methylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane copolymers, and (epoxypropoxypropyl)methylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane copolymers; amine-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, such as aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, aminoethylaminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, aminopropyl-grafted polydimethylsiloxane, aminoethylaminopropyl-grafted polydimethylsiloxane; polydimethylsiloxanes containing anhydride groups, such as succinic anhydride-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and succinic anhydride-grafted polydimethylsiloxane; silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes; polydimethylsiloxanes containing carboxyl groups, such as (mono)carboxydecyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and carboxydecyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane; and polydimethylsiloxanes containing oxazoline groups, such as vinylxoazoline grafted polydimethylsiloxane.

The concentration of the functional diorganopolysiloxane can be from 0.5 to 10 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of the polyamide (A), preferably, from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight.

In the case of compatibilizers (i) and (ii), it is sometimes preferred to mix the compatibilizer with the polyamide resin at a temperature above the melt point of the resin prior to addition of the silicone base. While not wishing to be held to any theory or mechanism, it is believed that this procedure results in a reaction between the functional groups of the compatibilizer and either the amide or end groups of the resin, thereby maximizing compatibilization efficiency. Alternatively, it is sometimes advantageous to add the compatibilizer to a mixture of the polyamide and the silicone base. In any event, the preferred technique can be readily determined by routine experimentation.

In yet another embodiment, the compatibilizer is (iii) a block or graft copolymer comprising at least one diorganopolysiloxane block and at least one block selected from polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, polyurea, polycarbonate or polyacrylate. For example, copolymer (iii) can have a structure such as AB, (AB)_(n), ABA, BAB, A-g-B and B-g-A, wherein n is an integer having a value greater than 1, A represents a diorganopolysiloxane block and B represents one of the above mentioned organic blocks. The diorganopolysiloxane block is a polymer or copolymer in which all of the organic groups are independently selected from hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon groups which contain no aliphatic unsaturation, these groups being previously described in connection with component (B′). Thus, for example, this component can be selected from diorganopolysiloxane-polyether block or graft copolymers, diorganopolysiloxane-polyamide block or graft copolymers, diorganopolysiloxane-polyurethane block or graft copolymers, diorganopolysiloxane-polyurea block or graft copolymers, diorganopolysiloxane-polycarbonate block or graft copolymers, diorganopolysiloxane-polyacrylate block or graft copolymers or diorganopolysiloxane-polymethacrylate block or graft copolymers, wherein the diorganopolysiloxane is preferably a polydimethylsiloxane block. It is preferred that the number average molecular weight of copolymer (iii) is 1,500 to 50,000, more preferably 2,000 to 20,000.

Examples of copolymer (iii) include polyamide-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers, such as the siloxane-based polyamides prepared by reacting an SiH-functional dimethylsiloxane and a reaction product of an olefinic acid with a diamine (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,680 to Petroff et al.); copolymers prepared by reacting α,ω-bis(aminoalkyl)polydimethylsiloxane and hydroxy-terminated polyamide prepolymers having a molecular weight of 1,500 to 3,000; copolymers prepared by reacting α,ω-bis(aminoalkyl)-functional polydimethylsiloxane and aromatic, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanates having an average molecular weight of, e.g., 1,500 to 3,000; and copolymers of poly(alkylene oxide) and polydimethylsiloxane, such as poly(ethylene oxide)-polydimethylsiloxane-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers and poly(propylene oxide)-polydimethylsiloxane-poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers, as well as graft copolymers of such systems.

The concentration of these copolymers can be from 0.5 to 10 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of polyamide (A), preferably from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight.

The organohydrido silicon compound (D) is a crosslinker (cure agent) for diorganopolysiloxane (B′) of the present composition and is an organopolysiloxane which contains at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in each molecule, but having at least about 0.1 weight percent hydrogen, preferably 0.2 to 2 and most preferably 0.5 to 1.7, percent hydrogen bonded to silicon. Those skilled in the art will, of course, appreciate that either component (B′) or component (D), or both, must have a functionality greater than 2 if diorganopolysiloxane (B′) is to be cured (i.e., the sum of these functionalities must be greater than 4 on average). The position of the silicon-bonded hydrogen in component (D) is not critical, and it may be bonded at the molecular chain terminals, in non-terminal positions along the molecular chain or at both positions. The silicon-bonded organic groups of component (D) are independently selected from any of the (non-alkenyl) hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon groups described above in connection with diorganopolysiloxane (B′), including preferred embodiments thereof. The molecular structure of component (D) is also not critical and is exemplified by straight-chain, partially branched straight-chain, branched, cyclic and network structures, linear polymers or copolymers being preferred, this component should be compatible with diorganopolysiloxane (B′) (i.e., it is effective in curing component (B′)).

Component (D) is exemplified by the following:

low molecular siloxanes, such as PhSi(OSiMe₂H)₃;

trimethylsiloxy-endblocked methylhydridopolysiloxanes;

trimethylsiloxy-endblocked dimethylsiloxane-methylhydridosiloxane copolymers;

dimethylhydridosiloxy-endblocked dimethylpolysiloxanes;

dimethylhydrogensiloxy-endblocked methylhydrogenpolysiloxanes;

dimethylhydridosiloxy-endblocked dimethylsiloxane-methylhydridosiloxane copolymers;

cyclic methylhydrogenpolysiloxanes;

cyclic dimethylsiloxane-methylhydridosiloxane copolymers;

tetrakis(dimethylhydrogensiloxy)silane;

silicone resins composed of (CH₃)₂HSiO_(1/2), (CH₃)₃SiO_(1/2), and SiO_(4/2) units; and

silicone resins composed of (CH₃)₂HSiO_(1/2), (CH₃)₃SiO_(1/2),

CH₃Si O_(3/2), PhSiO_(3/2) and SiO_(4/2) units,

wherein Me and Ph hereinafter denote methyl and phenyl groups, respectively.

Particularly preferred organohydrido silicon compounds are polymers or copolymers comprising RHSiO units ended with either R₃SiO_(1/2) or HR₂SiO_(1/2), wherein R is independently selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, preferably methyl. It is also preferred that the viscosity of component (D) is about 0.5 to 1,000 mPa-s at 25° C., preferably 2 to 500 mPa-s. Further, this component preferably has 0.5 to 1.7 weight percent hydrogen bonded to silicon. It is highly preferred that component (D) is selected from a polymer consisting essentially of methylhydridosiloxane units or a copolymer consisting essentially of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydridosiloxane units, having 0.5 to 1.7 percent hydrogen bonded to silicon and having a viscosity of 2 to 500 mPa-s at 25° C. It is understood that such a highly preferred system will have terminal groups selected from trimethylsiloxy or dimethylhdridosiloxy groups.

Component (D) may also be a combination of two or more of the above described systems. The organohydrido silicon compound (D) is used at a level such that the molar ratio of SiH therein to Si-alkenyl in component (B′) is greater than 1 and preferably below about 50, more preferably 3 to 30, most preferably 4 to 20.

These SiH-functional materials are well known in the art and many of them are commercially available.

Hydrosilation catalyst (E) is a catalyst that accelerates the cure of diorganopolysiloxane (B′) in the present composition. This hydrosilation catalyst is exemplified by platinum catalysts, such as platinum black, platinum supported on silica, platinum supported on carbon, chloroplatinic acid, alcohol solutions of chloroplatinic acid, platinum/olefin complexes, platinum/alkenylsiloxane complexes, platinum/beta-diketone complexes, platinum/phosphine complexes and the like; rhodium catalysts, such as rhodium chloride and rhodium chloride/di(n-butyl)sulfide complex and the like; and palladium catalysts, such as palladium on carbon, palladium chloride and the like. Component (E) is preferably a platinum-based catalyst such as chloroplatinic acid; platinum dichloride; platinum tetrachloride; a platinum complex catalyst produced by reacting chloroplatinic acid and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane which is diluted with dimethylvinylsiloxy endblocked polydimethylsiloxane, prepared according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,593 to Willing; and a neutralized complex of platinous chloride and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, prepared according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,325 to Brown et al. Most preferably, catalyst (E) is a neutralized complex of platinous chloride and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane.

Component (E) is added to the present composition in a catalytic quantity sufficient to promote the reaction of components (B′) and (D) and thereby cure the diorganopolysiloxane to form an elastomer. The catalyst is preferably added so as to provide about 0.1 to 500 parts per million (ppm) of metal atoms based on the total weight of the thermoplastic elastomer composition, more preferably 0.25 to 100 ppm.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a hindered phenol (F) is included in the formulation. This optional component is an organic compound having at least one group of the structure

in its molecule. In the above formula, R is an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms and R′ is a hydrocarbon group having four to eight carbon atoms. For the purposes of the present invention, a group according to formula (i) can be attached to hydrogen to form a 1,5-di-organophenol. Preferably, one to four of these groups are attached to an organic moiety of corresponding valence such that the contemplated compound has a molecular weight (MW) of less than about 1,500. Most preferably, four such groups are present in component (F) and this compound has a molecular weight of less than 1,200. This monovalent (or polyvalent) organic moiety can contain heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur. The R′ groups in the above formula may be illustrated by t-butyl, n-pentyl, butenyl, hexenyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and phenyl. It is preferred that both R and R′ are t-butyl.

Non-limiting specific examples of component (F) include various hindered phenols marketed by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation under the trade name Irganox™:

Irganox™ 1076=octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate,

Irganox™ 1035=thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate),

Irganox™ MD1024=1,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoyl)hydrazine,

Irganox™ 1330=1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene,

Irganox™ 1425 WL=calcium bis(monoethyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phosphonate) and

Irganox™ 3114=1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)- 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione.

Preferred hindered phenols are Irganox™ 245 {triethyleneglycol bis(3-(3′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)propionate)}, Irganox™ 1098 {N,N′-hexamethylenebis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamamide)} and Irganox™ 1010 {tetrakis(methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-hydrocinnamate))methane}.

From 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of hindered phenol (F) are preferably employed for each 100 parts by weight of polyamide (A) plus silicone base (B). Preferably 0.1 to 0.75 parts by weight, more preferably 0.475 to 0.525 parts by weight, of (F) are added for each 100 parts by weight of (A) plus (B).

In addition to the above-mentioned components, a minor amount of an optional additive (G) can be incorporated in the compositions of the present invention. Preferably, this optional component is added at a level of 0.5 to 40 weight percent based on the total composition, more preferably 0.5 to 20 weight percent. This optional additive can be illustrated by, but not limited to, reinforcing fillers for polyamide resins, such as glass fibers and carbon fibers; extending fillers, such as quartz, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and diatomaceous earth; pigments, such as iron oxide and titanium oxide; electrically conducting fillers, such as carbon black and finely divided metals; heat stabilizers, such as hydrated cerric oxide; antioxidants; flame retardants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide and organophosphorous compounds; and other fire retardant (FR) materials. A preferred FR additive is calcium silicate particulate, preferably a wollastonite having an average particle size of 2 to 30 μm. Further, optional component (G) can be a plasticizers for the silicone gum component, such as polydimethylsiloxane oil, and/or a plasticizer for the polyamide component. Examples of the latter include phthalate esters such as dicyclohexyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate and benzyl phthalate; trimellitate esters such as C₁-C₉ alkyl trimellitate; sulfonamides such as N-cyclohexyl-p-toluenesulfonamide, N-ethyl-o,p-toluenesulfonamide and o-toluenesulfonamide, and liquid oligomeric plasticizers. Preferred plasticizers are liquids of low volatility which minimize emissions of plasticizer at the common melt temperatures of polyamides.

The above additives are typically added to the final thermoplastic composition after dynamic cure, but they may also be added at any point in the preparation provided they do not interfere with the dynamic vulcanization mechanism. Of course, the above additional ingredients are only used at levels which do not significantly detract from the desired properties of the final composition.

According to the method of the present invention, the thermoplastic elastomer is prepared by thoroughly dispersing silicone base (B) and compatibilizer (C) in polyamide (A) and dynamically vulcanizing the diorganopolysiloxane in the base using organohydrido silicon compound (D) and catalyst (E). For the purposes of the present invention, the weight ratio of silicone base (B) to polyamide resin (A) is greater than 35:65. It has been found that when this ratio is 35:65 or less, the resulting vulcanizate generally has a modulus more resembling the polyamide resin than a thermoplastic elastomer. On the other hand, the above mentioned ratio should be no more than about 85:15 since the compositions tend to be weak and resemble cured silicone elastomers above this value. Notwithstanding this upper limit, the maximum ratio of (B) to (A) for any given combination of components is also limited by processability considerations since too high a silicone base content results in at least a partially crosslinked continuous phase which is no longer thermoplastic. For the purposes of the present invention, this practical limit is readily determined by routine experimentation and represents the highest level of component (B) which allows the TPSiV to be compression molded. It is, however, preferred that the final thermoplastic elastomer can also be readily processed in other conventional plastic operations, such as injection molding and extrusion and, in this case, the weight ratio of components (B) to (A) should be no more than about 75:25. Such a preferred thermoplastic elastomer which is subsequently re-processed often has a tensile strength and elongation which are within 10% of the corresponding values for the original TPSiV (i.e., the thermoplastic elastomer is little changed by re-processing). Although the amount of silicone base consistent with the above mentioned requirements depends upon the particular polyamide resin and other components selected, it is preferred that the weight ratio of components (B) to (A) is 40:60 to 75:25, more preferably 40:60 to 70:30.

Mixing is carried out in any device which is capable of uniformly dispersing the components in the polyamide resin, such as an internal mixer or a twin-screw extruder, the latter being preferred for commercial preparations. The temperature is preferably kept as low as practical consistent with good mixing so as not to degrade the resin. Depending upon the particular system, order of mixing is generally not critical and, for example, components (A), (C), (D) and, optionally, (F) can be added to (B) at a temperature above the softening point (i.e., melt point or glass temperature) of (A), catalyst (E) then being introduced to initiate dynamic vulcanization. However, components (B) through (F) should be well dispersed in resin (A) before dynamic vulcanization begins. As previously mentioned, it is also contemplated that the silicone base can be formed in-situ. For example, the reinforcing filler may be added to a mixer already containing the polyamide resin and diorganopolysiloxane gum at a temperature below the softening point of the resin to thoroughly disperse the filler in the gum. The temperature is then raised to melt the resin, the other ingredients are added and mixing/dynamic vulcanization are carried out. Optimum temperatures, mixing times and other conditions of the mixing operation depend upon the particular resin and other components under consideration and these may be determined by routine experimentation by those skilled in the art. It is, however, preferred to carry out the mixing and dynamic vulcanization under a dry, inert atmosphere (i.e., one that does not adversely react with the components or otherwise interfere with the hydrosilation cure), such as dry nitrogen, helium or argon.

As noted above, in order to be within the scope of the present invention, the tensile strength or elongation, or both, of the TPSiV elastomer must be at least 25% greater than that of a corresponding simple blend. A further requirement of the invention is that the TPSiV has at least 25% elongation, as determined by the test described infra. In this context, the term “simple blend” (or physical blend) denotes a composition wherein the weight proportions of resin (A), base (B) and compatibilizer (C) are identical to the proportions in the TPSiV, but no cure agents are employed (i.e., either component (D) or (E), or both, are omitted and the gum is therefore not cured). In order to determine if a particular composition meets the above criterion, the tensile strength of the TPSiV is measured on dumbbells having a length of 25.4 mm and a width of 3.2 mm and a typical thickness of 1 to 2 mm, according to ASTM method D 412, at an extension rate of 50 mm/min. At least three such samples are evaluated and the results averaged after removing obvious low readings due to sample inhomogeneity (e.g., such as voids, contamination or inclusions). These values are then compared to the corresponding average tensile and elongation values of a sample prepared from the simple blend composition. When at least a 25% improvement in tensile and/or elongation over the simple blend is not realized there is no benefit derived from the dynamic vulcanization and such TPSiVs are not within the scope of the present invention.

The thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the above described method can then be processed by conventional techniques, such as extrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, overmolding or compression molding. Moreover, these compositions can be re-processed (recycled) with little or no degradation of mechanical properties.

The novel thermoplastic elastomers of the present invention can be used to fabricate wire and cable insulation; vibration and sound dampening components; electrical connectors; automotive and appliance components, such as belts, hoses, air ducts, boots, bellows, gaskets and fuel line components; furniture components; “soft-feel” grips for hand-held devices (e.g., handles for tools); architectural seals; bottle closures; medical devices; sporting goods; and general rubber parts.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to further illustrate the compositions and method of this invention, but are not to be construed as limiting the invention, which is delineated in the appended claims. All parts and percentages in the examples are on a weight basis and all measurements were obtained at about 23° C., unless indicated to the contrary.

Materials

The following materials, listed alphabetically for ease of reference, were employed in the examples.

BASE 1 is a silicone rubber base made from 68.78% PDMS 1, defined infra, 25.8% of a fumed silica having a surface area of about 250 m²/g (Cab-O-Sil® MS-75 by Cabot Corp., Tuscola, Ill.), 5.4% of a hydroxy-terminated diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization (DP) of about 8 and 0.02% of ammonium carbonate.

BASE 2 is a silicone rubber base made from 76.68% PDMS 1, defined infra, 17.6% of a fumed silica having a surface area of about 250 m²/g, 5.7% of a hydroxy-terminated diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization (DP) of about 8 and 0.02% of ammonia.

BASE 3 is a silicone rubber base made from 53.68% PDMS 1, defined infra, 35.5% of a fumed silica having a surface area of about 250 m²/g, 10.8% of a hydroxy-terminated diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization (DP) of about 8 and 0.02% of ammonia.

BASE 4 is a silicone rubber base made from 87.9% PDMS 1, defined infra, 10% of a fumed silica having a surface area of about 250 m²/g, 2.1% of a hydroxy-terminated diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization (DP) of about 8.

CATALYST 1 is a 1.5% platinum complex of 1,3-diethenyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane; 6% tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane; 92% dimethylvinyl ended polydimethylsiloxane and 0.5% dimethylcyclopolysiloxanes having 6 or greater dimethylsiloxane units.

COMPATIBILIZER 1 is an epoxy-functional polydimethylsiloxane described as an (epoxypropoxypropyl)methylsiloxane-dimethyl siloxane copolymer having a number average molecular weight of 5,700 and marketed under the trade name EXP-29 by Genesee Polymer Corp., Flint, Mich.

COMPATIBILIZER 2 is an (epoxypropoxypropyl)methylsiloxane-dimethyl siloxane copolymer having a number average molecular weight of 8,300 and marketed under the trade name EXP-32 by Genesee Polymer Corp.

COMPATIBILIZER 3 is an epoxy-ended silicone polymer described as an epoxypropoxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane having a number average molecular weight of 4,730 and marketed under the trade name GP-504 by Genesee Polymer Corp.

COMPATIBILIZER 4 is allyl glycidyl ether obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

COMPATIBILIZER 5 is allyl succinic anhydride obtained from Polysciences, Inc., Warrington, Pa.

COMPATIBILIZER 6 is a succinic anhydride-terminated polydimethylsiloxane having a number average molecular weight of 600-800 and marketed under the trade name DMS-Z 1 by Gelest, Tullytown, Pa.

COMPATIBILIZER 7 is an epoxypropoxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane having a number average molecular weight of 900-1,100 and marketed under the trade name DMS-E12 by Gelest.

COMPATIBILIZER 8 is an (epoxycyclohexylethyl)methylsiloxane-dimethyl siloxane copolymer having a number average molecular weight of 18,000 and marketed under the trade name EMS-232 by Gelest.

COMPATIBILIZER 9 is a siloxane-based polyamide prepared according to methods described in above cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,680 to Petroff et al. and having the formula

{—CO—(CH₂)₁₀—Si(Me)₂O—(SiMe₂O)_(m)—Si(Me)₂—(CH₂)₁₀—CO—NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—}_(n)

wherein m has an average value of 13 and n is such that the number average molecular weight of the copolymer is 14,950 by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using polystyrene standard and tetrahydrofuran solvent.

COMPATIBILIZER 10 is similar to COMPATIBILIZER 9 wherein m has an average value of 28 and n is such that the number average molecular weight of the copolymer is 17,760 by GPC (as above).

COMPATIBILIZER 11 is similar to COMPATIBILIZER 9 wherein m has an average value of 43 and n is such that the number average molecular weight of the copolymer is 68,410 by GPC (as above).

COMPATIBILIZER 12 is an unsaturated diamide of the formula

CH₂═CH—(CH₂)₈—CO—NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—CO—(CH₂)₈—CH═CH₂

COMPATIBILIZER 13 is an aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane having a degree of polymerization of 14.

COMPATIBILIZER 14 is an aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane marketed by Gelest under the trade name DMS-A12.

COMPATIBILIZER 15 is an ethylene oxide-dimethylsiloxane-ethylene oxide block copolymer marketed by Gelest under the trade name DBE-C25.

IRGANOX™ 1010 is a hindered phenol stabilizer marketed by Ciba-Geigy and described as tetrakis {methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-hydrocinnamate)}methane.

IRGANOX™ 1098 is a hindered phenol described as N,N′-hexamethylenebis(3,5-di-(tert)-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamamide) and marketed by Ciba-Geigy.

NYLON 12-A is nylon 12 obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.; m.p.=178° C.

NYLON 12-B is Rilsan™ AMNO, a nylon 12 marketed by Elf Atochem NA, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa; m.p.=175° C.

NYLON 6-A is a nylon 6 marketed under the trade name Zytel™ 7301 by Du Pont; m.p. 215-225° C.

NYLON 6-B is a nylon 6 marketed as CM 1017 by Toray Industries Inc., Japan; m.p.=223° C.

NYLON 6-C is a nylon 6 obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.; m.p.=229° C.

NYLON 6/6 is a nylon 6/6 obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.; m.p.=267° C.

PDMS 1 is a gum consisting of 99.81 wt % Me₂SiO units, 0.16% MeViSiO units and 0.03% Me₂ViSiO_(1/2) units. Prepared by potassium catalyzed equilibration of cyclic siloxanes wherein the catalyst is neutralized with carbon dioxide. This gum has plasticity of about 150.

X-LINKER 1 is an SiH-functional crosslinker consisting essentially of 68.4% MeHSiO units, 28.1% Me₂SiO units and 3.5% Me₃SiO_(1/2) units and has a viscosity of approximately 29 mPa·s. This corresponds to the average formula MD₁₆D′₃₉M, in which where M is (CH₃)₃Si—O—, D is —Si(CH₃)₂—O— and D′ is —Si(H)(CH₃)—O—.

(Comparative) Example A1

A masterbatch was prepared by adding 200 g of BASE 1 to a Haake System 9000™ bowl mixer (300 ml bowl) under a dry nitrogen atmosphere using roller rotors at 100° C. and 60 rpm (revolutions per minute). After 3 minutes, 1.5 g of X-LINKER 1 were slowly added to the mixer and the masterbatch was homogenized for 6 minutes.

NYLON 12-A (72 g; dried 4hrs at 80° C.) was added to the mixer at 190° C. and 60 rpm under a dry nitrogen purge. After three minutes, the above described masterbatch (108.7 g) was added and mixed for 4 minutes. Finally, CATALYST 1(0.78 g) was added and the process torque increased to a maximum of 6,000 m-g and then decreased, mixing being stopped when the torque reached 5,500 m-g.

A sample of the above material was compression molded at 225° C. for 5 minutes under approximately 10 ton pressure (99 KPa) in a stainless steel Endura™ 310-2 coated mold followed by cold pressing for 3 minutes. The tensile properties were measured on dumbbells having a length of 25.4 mm, width of 3.18 mm and a thickness of 1 to 2 mm, according to ASTM method D 412 and at an extension rate of 50 mm/min. At least 3 samples were tested, the results averaged, the results being presented in Table A1

Example A2

Dried (4hrs/80° C.) NYLON 12-A (72 g) was added to the mixer, as in Comp. Ex. A1. After three minutes, COMPATIBILIZER 1 (2 g) was added dropwise to the melt. After another 4 minutes, a masterbatch as described in Comp. Ex. A1 (108.7 g) was added and mixed for an additional 4 minutes. Finally, CATALYST 1 (0.78 g) was added dropwise and the torque increased to a maximum of 7,200 m-g and then decreased. The run was stopped when the torque reached 6,500 m-g. The resulting TPSiV was again compression molded and tested, the results being shown in Table A1.

TABLE A1 Final Compatibilizer Tensile Elongation Torque Example (g) (MPa) (%) (m-g) Comp. 0 7.3  37 5,500 Ex. A1 Ex. A2 COMPATIBILIZER 1 13.6 178 6,500 EXP-29 (2 g)

It can be seen from Table A1 that the TPSiV which contained a compatibilizer had improved mechanical properties while preserving a relatively low process torque. Previous experiments under similar conditions indicated that such high levels of mechanical properties could only be obtained by employing greater amounts of SiH-functional crosslinker when no compatibilizer was included. However, these formulations required much higher process torque (e.g., 18,000 to >20,000 m-g).

(Comparative) Example A3

Dried (4hrs/80° C.) NYLON 12-A (72 g) was added to the mixer at 190° C., as in Comp. Ex. A1. After three minutes, IRGANOX™ 1010 (0.2 g) was added. Then BASE 1 (108 g) was added and mixed for 4 minutes, whereupon the torque increased to1,800 m-g. X-LINKER 1 (3.9 g) was added and mixed for 5 minutes. Finally, CATALYST 1 (0.88 g) was added and the torque increased immediately, the run being stopped at a torque of 12,000 m-g. Properties of the resulting TPSiV were determined as described above and are reported in Table A2.

Example A4

Dried (4hrs/80° C.) NYLON 12-A (72 g) was added to the mixer, as in Comp. Ex. A3. After three minutes, COMPATIBILIZER 4 (0.32 g) was added to the melted nylon and mixing was continued for another 4 minutes. IRGANOX™ 1010 (0.2 g ) was added and, after 2 minutes, BASE 1 (108 g) was mixed in for 4 minutes. The torque increased to 1,800 m-g and CROSSLINKER 1 (3.9 g) was added and mixed for 5 minutes. Finally, CATALYST 1 (0.88 g) was added and the torque increased immediately, the run being stopped when the torque reached 12,000 m-g. Properties of the resulting TPSiV were determined as described above and are reported in Table A2.

Example A5

A TPSiV was prepared according to the methods of Example A4 wherein 0.4 g of COMPATIBILIZER 5 was used instead of 0.32 g of COMPATIBILIZER 4. Properties of the resulting TPSiV were determined as described above and are reported in Table A2.

(Comparative) Example A6

Dried NYLON 12-A (72 g) was added to the mixer as in (Comparative) Example A3. After three minutes, IRGANOX™ 1010 (0.2 g) was added to the mixture. Then 108 g of BASE 1 was added and mixed for 4 minutes and the torque stabilized at 1,800 m-g. X-LINKER 1 (1.75 g) was added and mixed for 5 minutes and then CATALYST 1 (0.39 g) was added. The torque increased to a maximum value of 14,000 m-g within 6 minutes and the run was stopped when the torque leveled off at 10,000 m-g. Properties of the resulting TPSiV were determined as described above and are reported in Table A2.

Example A7

A TPSiV was prepared according to the method of (Comparative) Example A6 wherein 0.4 g of COMPATIBILIZER 5 was added three minutes after the nylon was melted. Properties of the resulting TPSiV were determined as described above and are reported in Table A2.

(Comparative) Example A8

Dried NYLON 12-A (72 g) was added to the mixer as in (Comparative) Example A3. After three minutes, 0.2 g of IRGANOX™ 1010 and 108 g of BASE 1 were added and mixed for 4 minutes. The torque stabilized at 1,800 m-g, whereupon X-LINKER 1 (3.5 g) was added and mixed for 5 minutes. Finally, CATALYST 1 (0.78 g) was added. The torque increased immediately and the run was stopped at a torque of 18,000 m-g. Properties of the resulting TPSiV were determined as described above and are reported in Table A2.

Examples A9-A11

TPSiVs were prepared as in (Comparative) Example A8 wherein 2 g of COMPATIBILIZER 3, 2 g of COMPATIBILIZER 1 and 0.4 g of COMPATIBILIZER 5, respectively, were added 3 minutes after the nylon was melted. Each run was stopped at the torque indicated in the last column of Table A2, this table also showing the resulting properties of the compositions.

TABLE A2 Elonga- Compatibilizer Tensile tion Torque Example Type/amount (g) (MPa) (%) (m-g) (Comp.) Ex. A3 none 10.8 100 >12,000 Ex. A4  COMPATIBILIZER 4 13.0 172 >12,000 (0.32 g) Ex. A5  COMPATIBILIZER 5 13.7 160 >12,000 (0.4 g) (Comp.) Ex. A6 none 9.2  63  10,000* Ex. A7  COMPATIBILIZER 5 8.2 118  10,000* (0.4 g) (Comp.) Ex. A8 none 14.5 185 >18,000 Ex. A9  COMPATIBILIZER 3 16.1 211 >18,000 (2 g) Ex. A10 COMPATIBILIZER 1 17.4 229 >18,000 (2 g) Ex. A11 COMPATIBILIZER 5 17.6 255 >18,000 (0.4 g) *maximum torque observed.

From Table A2 it can be seen that nylon-based TPSiVs which contained a compatibilizer of the invention showed significantly improved mechanical properties relative to systems which did not include a compatibilizer.

Examples A12-A23

The bowl of a Haake Rheomix™ 3000 mixer (roller rotors; 245° C.; 60 rpm; under dry nitrogen purge) was charged with 120 g of BASE 1. After 2 minutes, 80 g of NYLON 6-B (dried at 80° C./4 hr) was added and the combination mixed for 2 minutes. COPATIBILIZER 6 (0.8 g) was added and, after 2 more minutes, 1.5 g of IRGANOX™ 1098 were added and was allowed to mix for 2 additional, whereupon 3.88 g of X-LINKER 1 were added. After 4 more minutes, 0.88 g of CATALYST 1 was added dropwise as mixing was continued. Once the cure was complete, the product was removed, compression molded at 250° C. for 5 minutes and tested, as described above. The results are presented in Table A3 (Example A23).

The above procedure was followed using the compatibilizers (and amounts thereof) shown in the third column of Table A3, the amounts of IRGANOX™ 1098 shown in the fourth column of Table A3 and the nylon 6 resin indicated in the second column of Table A3. In the case of Examples A21-A24, each compatibilizer was first mixed with NYLON 6-A using a twin-screw extruder at a process temperature of 260-270° C. to form a compatibilized polyamide, according to the procedure described in Example C1, infra. Each compatibilized polyamide was then used as the resin portion in these formulations, the order of addition being the same as described above. Each composition was molded at 250° C. and tested, as described above, the results being shown in Table A3.

TABLE A3 Compatibilizer IRGANOX ™ Weight(g)/ 1098 content Tensile Elongation Torque Example NYLON Type (g) (MPa) (%) (m-g) (Comp.) 6-A 0 0 9.5 29 4,000 Ex. A12 (Comp.) 6-A 0 1.5 9.3 31 6,000 Ex. A13 A14 6-A 0.8/COM. 6 0 16.0 104  6,000 A15 6-A 0.8/COM. 6 1.5 16.0 154  9,000 A16 6-A 1.6/COMP. 7 1.5 14.8 121  8,300 A17 6-A 0.8/COMP. 7 1.5 11.5 66 8,200 A18 6-A 0.8/COMP. 1 1.5 11.3 73 7,800 A19 6-A 1.6/COMP. 1 1.5 10.6 72 8,000 (Comp.) 6-B 0 0 9.0 33 4,000 Ex. A20 (Comp.) 6-B 0 1.5 9.7 49 4,600 Ex. A21 A22 6-B 0.8/COMP. 6 0 12.3 53 5,200 A23 6-B 0.8/COMP. 6 1.5 16.2 151  6,500

Examples A24-A29

Compatibilized polyamides formed from NYLON 12-B and the compatibilizers (and weight percentage thereof) shown in the second column of Table A4 were prepared in a twin-screw extruder at 220° C., as described in Example C 1, infra. Eighty grams of each compatibilized resin was mixed with the following components and dynamically vulcanized (nitrogen purge; 220° C.; 60 rpm):

BASE 1 120 g IRGANOX ™ 1010 1.0 g X-LINKER 1 1.94 g CATALYST 1 0.8 g

These compositions were molded and tested as described above and the results are shown in Table A4.

TABLE A4 Ter- Tensile Elonga- minal Amount and Type of Strength tion torque Example Compatibilizer in Resin (MPa) (%) torque (Comp.) Ex. 0% 13.5 187 4900 A24 A25 1.0% COMPATIBILIZER 8 13.3 195 4300 (Comp.)Ex. 0.5% COMPATIBILIZER 7 13.4 199 4300 A26 A27 1.0% COMPATIBILIZER 7 15.0 260 5400 (Comp.)Ex. 2.0% COMPATIBILIZER 7 13.7 198 5500 A28 A29 1.0% COMPATIBILIZER 6 14.8 239 4000

The above results illustrate that the incorporation of a compatibilizer resulted in improved Tensile or elongation or reduced processing torque. They also illustrate the observation that each compatibilizer has an optimal concentration range, the latter being readily determined by routine experimentation (e.g., Example A27 for the case of COMPATIBILIZER 7).

Examples A30-A31

The procedures of Examples A24-A29 were repeated wherein the IRGANOX™ 1010 was omitted. In this case, a formulation which did not include a compatibilizer exhibited a torque of 4,300 m-g and the resulting TPSiV had a tensile of 7.6 MPa and elongation of 44%. Another formulation based on a compatibilized polyamide which contained 1% of COMPATIBILIZER 7 exhibited a torque of 5,000 m-g and the resulting TPSiV had a tensile of 8.0 MPa and elongation of 58%.

Examples A32-A34

NYLON 12-B (80 g) was added to a Haake System 9000™ bowl mixer equipped with roller rotors at 210° C. and 60 rpm under nitrogen purge. After three minutes, base 1 (120 g) was added and mixed for 3 more minutes. IRGANOX™ 1010 (0.5 g) was added and mixed for 2 more minutes. X-LINKER 1 (1.9 g) was then added, followed by the addition of 2 g of COMPATIBILIZER 15. After mixing for another 3 minutes, CATALYST 1 (0.85 g) was added dropwise and the run was stopped when torque stabilized. The mechanical properties of the resulting TPSiV are summarized in Table A5 (Example A34).

The above procedures were repeated wherein COMPATIBILIZER 14 was substituted for COMPATIBILIZER 15 (Example A33) and wherein no compatibilizer was used (Comparative Example A32). These compositions were molded and tested as described above and the results are again shown in Table A5.

TABLE A5 Tensile Terminal Samples Strength Elongation Torque, Name Compatibilizer (MPa) (%) (m-g) (Comp.)Ex. None 13.4 174 6500 A32 A33 COMPATIBILIZER 14 14.2 201 10500  A34 COMPATIBILIZER 15 13.2 191 5000

It is again seen that at least elongation or tensile are improved or torque is reduced when compatibilizer is included.

Examples B1-B7

NYLON 12-A (80 g) was first dried for 2 hours at 120° C. and mixed at 210° C./60 rpm under a nitrogen atmosphere using roller rotors, as described above. IRGANOX™ 1010 (1.05 g) was mixed in for approximately 3 minutes, followed by 120 g of BASE 1 and, after approximately 3.5 more minutes, 3.07 g of COMPATIBILIZER 9, the latter being mixed for an additional 3.5 minutes. X-LINKER 1 (3.84 g) was added and the recorded mixing torque was approximately 1,800 m-g. After 4 minutes of mixing, 4.28 g (286 drops) of a mixture of one part of CATALYST 1 and 4 parts of a polydimethylsiloxane oil having a viscosity of about 1,000 mPa-s were added in three steps which were 3 to 5 minutes apart. The torque increased to and then leveled off at 8,800 m-g. Total mixing time from the addition of catalyst to completion of mixing was approximately 38 minutes. Mechanical evaluation of the resulting TPSiV is recorded in Table B1 (Example B 1).

The above procedure was repeated using 3 grams of the compatibilizer shown in the second column of Table B 1. This table also shows results for a composition which did not include a compatibilizer (Comparative Example B7).

TABLE B1 Tensile Elongation Torque Example Compatibilizer (MPa) (%) (m-g) Ex. B1 COMPATIBILIZER 9  16.7 265  8,700 Ex. B2* COMPATIBILIZER 9  16.0 254  14,500 Ex. B3* COMPATIBILIZER 10 16.2 241 >19,000 Ex. B4* COMPATIBILIZER 11 15.8 256  11,000 Ex. B5** COMPATIBILIZER 12 18.4 277 >20,000 Ex. B6** COMPATIBILIZER 12 16.7 257 >20,000 Comp.)Ex. B7* 0 14.9 200  15,000 *CATALYST 1 was not diluted and added in one step. **diluted CATALYST 1 added in one step.

Examples B8-B9

A TPSiV (Comparative Example B8) was prepared according to Example B 1 at 245° C. using a one-step catalyst addition and using the following ingredients:

NYLON 6-C 80 g IRGANOX ™ 1010 1 g BASE 1 120 g X-LINKER 1 3.87 g CATALYST 1 0.855 g

A similar composition was prepared which also included 1.1 g of COMPATIBILIZER 13 (Example B9). These materials were molded at 255° C. and tested as described above, the properties being reported in Table B2.

TABLE B2 Final Compatibilizer Tensile Elongation Torque Example Amount (g) (MPa) (%) (m-g) (Comp.) Ex. B8 0 11.0  99 5,200 Example B9 1.1 14.6 122 6,000

Example B10-B11

BASE 1 (120 g) was introduce into the Haake Rheocord™ 9000 bowl mixer (285° C./60 rpm) and 1.6 grams COMPATIBILIZER 7 were added, followed by 80 g of NYLON 6/6 (dried at 80° C./4 hours) with no waiting in between additions. This combination was mixed for 6 minutes, and 3.8 grams of X-LINKER 1 was added and allowed to mix for 2.0 minutes (8.0 minutes total). At this point, 0.86 gram of CATALYST 1 was introduced and torque increased from 3,000 m-g to 6,000 m-g. Mixing was stopped after a total time of 15.0 minutes, at which point torque had reached its maximum (6,000 m-g) and the final temperature was approximately 275° C. The resulting TPSiV elastomer was transferred to a pan of tap water to prevent further oxidation.

The above thermoplastic elastomer was dried (80° C./4 hours) to remove residual moisture from the quenching procedure, samples were molded at 265° C. and tested, as described above. Tensile strength was 11.2 MPa and elongation was 40%.

The above procedures were repeated wherein the compatibilizer was omitted. Tensile strength was 7.1 MPa and elongation was 9%.

Example C1

NYLON 12-B pellets (dried at 120° C. for 4 hours in a dessicating oven) were fed to an 18 mm Leistritz™ twin screw extruder fitted with a single-hole strand die and powered by a Haake™ 9000 torque rheometer drive via a feed throat using an AccuRate™ pellet feeder (feed rate=49.0 g/min.). All temperature control zones on the extruder were set to 220° C. and the screw speed was set to 200 rpm. COMPATIBILIZER 2 was injected into the extruder via a MasterFlex™ CL peristaltic pump at a rate of 1.0 g/min. such that the final content of COMPATIBILIZER 2 in the resulting compatibilized polyamide was 2%. The extruded compatibilized polyamide was passed through a water bath at 5° C. and then pelletized in a Conair Jetro™ pelletizer model 304 (compatibilized polyamide 1). A TPSiV was then prepared on a Haake Rheomix™ 3000 mixer fitted with roller rotors (free volume=310 cm³; 210° C.; 60 rpm) using a dry nitrogen purge at a flow rate of 236 cm³/s. The above compatibilized polyamide 1 (93.9 g) was mixed and 1.0 g of IRGANOX™ 1010 was added at 1.1 minutes into the run. BASE 1 (99.4 g) was introduced (1.7 min.), followed by 3.2 g of X-LINKER 1 (4.9 min.). Mixing was continued and CATALYST 1 (0.752 g) was added (6.8 min.) to dynamically cure the silicone gum. The set temperature was reduced to 200° C. and, when the mixing torque reached a steady state value of 3,286 m-g, the resulting TPSiV was removed. The TPSiV was compression molded at 225° C. for 5 minutes and tested as described above. The average (5 measurements) tensile strength was 17.6 MPa and average elongation was 249%.

Example C2

The procedures of Example C1 were duplicated wherein COMPATIBILIZER 3 was substituted for COMPATIBILIZER 2 to provide a compatibilized polyamide in which the COMPATIBILIZER 3 content was 2% (compatibilized polyamide 2). The latter was used to prepare a TPSiV as in Example C1 wherein the final mixing torque was 3,860 m-g and total mixing time was 20.0 min. The resulting TPSiV was molded and tested, as described above, and exhibited a tensile strength of 17.8 MPa and an elongation of 252%.

(Comparative) Example C3

The procedures of Example C1 were duplicated wherein no compatibilizer was employed. Thus, 93.9 g of only dried NYLON 12-B was used to prepare a TPSiV, as previously described. Final torque was 8,210 m-g, this being more than double that observed in Examples C1 or C2. The resulting TPSiV was molded and tested, as described above, and exhibited a tensile strength of 17.4 MPa and an elongation of 221%.

It is seen from Examples C1 to C3 that inclusion of a compatibilizer according to the present invention improves elongation to some extent but greatly reduces the mixing torque (melt viscosity) of the final TPSiV.

Examples D1-D4

TPSiVs were prepared according to the methods described in Example A4 (mixing temperature =220° C.) using the following components (mixed in the order listed):

NYLON 12-B 80 g COMPATIBILIZER 2 2.4 g IRGANOX ™ 1010 1 g BASE (as indicated in Table D1) 120 g X-LINKER 1 1.9 g CATALYST 1 0.86 g

The compositions were molded and tested, as described above, and the results are presented in Table D1.

TABLE D1 Maximum Tensile Elongation Torque Example Silicone (MPa) (%) (m-g) Example D1 BASE 3 13.7 170 6,000 Example D2 BASE 1 13.5 194 6,000 Example D3 BASE 2 10.5 132 6,400 Example D4 BASE 4  5.2  47  2,500* *Total mix and vulcanization time = 75 minutes, this being about 3 times longer than other samples.

Examples D5-D10

TPSiVs were prepared according to the methods described in Example A4 (mixing temperature=220° C.) using the following components (mixed in the order listed):

NYLON 12-B   80 g COMPATIBILIZER 2 X (amount shown in second column of Table D2) IRGANOX ™ 1010   1 g BASE 1  120 g X-LINKER 1 Y (amount shown in third column of Table D2) CATALYST 1 0.86 g

These compositions were molded and tested as described above, the results being shown in Table D2.

TABLE D2 Maximum Tensile Elongation Torque Example X (g) Y (g) (MPa) (%) (m-g) (Comp.) Ex. D5 0 1 8.0  81 4,600 D6 0.8 1 9.3 105 4,300 D7 2.4 1 9.9 130 4,600 D8 1.2 1.9 10.7 124 7,000 D9 2.4 1.9 13.7 170 6,000 D10 3.6 1.9 11.1 138 7,800

Examples D11-D12

TPSiVs were prepared according to the methods described in Example A4 (mixing temperature=220° C.) using the following components (mixed in the order listed):

NYLON 12-B   80 g COMPATIBILIZER 2  0.8 g IRGANOX ™ 1010 X (amount shown in second column of Table D3) BASE 1  120 g X-LINKER 1  1.9 g CATALYST 1 0.95 g

These compositions were molded and tested as described above, the results being shown in Table D3.

TABLE D3 Tensile Elongation Maximum Torque Example X (g) (MPa) (%) (m-g) Example D11 0  7.4  47 6,000 Example D12 1 11.4 130 7,000

From Table D3 it is again seen that the addition of the hindered phenol improves mechanical properties. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing a thermoplastic elastomer, said method comprising: (I) mixing (A) a rheologically stable polyamide resin having a melting point or glass transition temperature of 25° C. to 275° C., (B) a silicone base comprising (B′) 100 parts by weight of a diorganopolysiloxane gum having a plasticity of at least 30 and having an average of at least 2 alkenyl groups in its molecule and (B″) 5 to 200 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler, the weight ratio of said silicone base to said polyamide resin being greater than 35:65 to 85:15, (C) for each 100 parts by weight of said polyamide resin, a compatibilizer selected from (i) from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a coupling agent having a molecular weight of less than 800 which contains at least two groups independently selected from ethylenically unsaturated group, epoxy, anhydride, silanol, carboxyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or oxazoline in its molecule, (ii) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a functional diorganopolysiloxane having at least one group selected from epoxy, anhydride, silanol, carboxyl, amine, alkoxy having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or oxazoline in its molecule, or (iii) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a copolymer comprising at least one diorganopolysiloxane block and at least one block selected from polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, polyurea, polycarbonate or polyacrylate, (D) an organohydrido silicon compound which contains an average of at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrogen groups in its molecule and (E) a hydrosilation catalyst, components (D) and (E) being present in an amount sufficient to cure said diorganopolysiloxane (B′); and (II) dynamically curing said diorganopolysiloxane (B′).
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of said silicone base (B) to said polyamide resin (A) is greater than 35:65 to 75:25.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said polyamide is selected from the group consisting of nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 6/12 and nylon
 12. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said diorganopolysiloxane (B′) is a gum selected from the group consisting of a copolymer consisting essentially of dimethylsiloxane units and methylvinylsiloxane units and a copolymer consisting essentially of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhexenylsiloxane units and said reinforcing filler (B″) is a fumed silica.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said organohydrido silicon component (D) is selected from the group consisting of a polymer consisting essentially of methylhydridosiloxane units and a copolymer consisting essentially of dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydridosiloxane units, having 0.5 to 1.7 weight percent hydrogen bonded to silicon and having a viscosity of 2 to 500 mPa-s at 25° C. and said catalyst (E) is a neutralized complex of platinous chloride and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane.
 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the weight ratio of said silicone base (B) to said polyamide resin (A) is 40:60 to 70:30.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a hindered phenol per 100 parts by weight of said polyamide plus said silicone base is included in mixing step (I), said hindered phenol having a molecular weight of less than 1,200 and containing 2 to 4 groups of the formula

in which R and R′ are tert-butyl groups.
 8. The method according to claim 4, wherein 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a hindered phenol per 100 parts by weight of said polyamide plus silicone base (B) is included in mixing step (I) and said polyamide resin is selected from the group consisting of nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 6/12 and nylon
 12. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the weight ratio of said silicone base (B) to said polyamide resin (A) is 40:60 to 70:30.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said compatibilizer is selected from allyl glycidyl ether, allyl succinic anhydride, CH₂═CH—(CH₂)₈—CO—NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—CO—(CH₂)₈—CH═CH₂, epoxy-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, amine-functional polydimethylsiloxanes succinic anhydride-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, polyamide-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers or poly(alkylene oxide)-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said compatibilizer is selected from allyl glycidyl ether, allyl succinic anhydride, CH₂═CH—(CH₂)₈—CO—NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—CO—(CH₂)₈—CH═CH₂, epoxy-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, amine-functional polydimethylsiloxanes succinic anhydride-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, polyamide-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers or poly(alkylene oxide)-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a fire retardant is included in mixing step (I).
 13. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 1. 14. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 2. 15. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 3. 16. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 4. 17. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 5. 18. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 6. 19. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 7. 20. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 8. 21. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 9. 22. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 10. 23. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 11. 24. A thermoplastic elastomer prepared by the method of claim
 12. 